Business Executive Profile
Rick Hemmerling
VP of Business Development, Insect Shield, LLC
Mini Bio
Biting insects are often a nuisance, but in many places of the world they are also a serious health threat. Rick Hemmerling's company has developed an innovative product that strives to protect at-risk children from insect-borne diseases such as malaria.
Name: Rick Hemmerling
Title: VP of Business Development
Company:: Insect Shield, LLC
Years in position: 7 years
Business location: Seattle, WA
Number of direct reports: 20
Chief product or service: Insect repellent technology
Website: www.insectshield.com
What do you do in your organization?
I joined Insect Shield, LLC, as vice president of business development to help spearhead strategic business initiatives. Under my direction, the Seattle brand and marketing group supports existing brand partners, develops private-label products, manages development of all overseas facilities, and supports Insect Shield’s philanthropic efforts.
What exactly is Insect Shield and what is it used for?
Insect Shield Repellent Apparel and Repellent Gear are revolutionary products designed to provide long-lasting, effective, and convenient insect protection. The Insect Shield process binds a proprietary permethrin formula tightly to fabric fibers, resulting in odorless insect protection that lasts the expected lifetime of the product. Permethrin has been successfully used in the United States as an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered product since 1977, with an excellent safety record. It is used in lice shampoos for children, flea dips for dogs, and various other products, some of which are regulated by the FDA.
Insect Shield Repellent Apparel has been proven and registered to repel mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers, and midges (no-see-ums), while Insect Shield Repellent Gear has been proven and registered to repel mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and flies.
According to the World Health Organization, a child dies every minute from malaria in Africa and personal protection against mosquito bites represents the first line of defense for malaria prevention. Insect Shield repellent blankets, which offer built-in protection from mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects, can help. (Read more background on insect-borne diseases.)
How is business for your company these days?
Growth is steady and strong. Insect Shield has grown the number of brand partners who license the technology from a handful of brands in 2003 to 45+ brands located throughout the globe in 2014.
What do you consider your chief business strength?
Strategy. Insect Shield is a unique attribute that can be applied to everyday items converting them into unique and innovative protection. I enjoy working with brands to help them brainstorm creative products, then helping them deliver them successfully into the marketplace.
What are some challenges you’ve faced on the job, and how did you overcome them?
Insect Shield is a cutting-edge technology. Most of the world still does not know that insect repellent clothing and gear products exist. It has been challenging to introduce an entirely new concept of bug repellency to the general consumer, provide enough background information and data to ensure safety, and continue to navigate the necessary regulatory processes needed in order to distribute on a global level.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
That it is global so the daily creative strategy is ever changing and international.
What are the most important skills that someone in your position needs to have?
Creativity, perseverance, and authenticity.
What is the smartest move you made in your career so far?
Always hiring people smarter than me!
What’s your management style with your employees?
I have an approachable management style. I prefer open office environments that promote team engagement and impromptu collaboration.
Who are some other businesspeople or leaders you admire, and why?
Bill Gates – be successful and give back more!
What new initiatives are you working on?
We are constantly seeking additional brands to work with that manufacture products suited for the Insect Shield technology. We hope to expand our lineup of gear product partners and home products, and continue to develop our global health initiatives, such as the Insect Shield Protection blankets used in the recent Super Hero blanket program.
Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?
“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” –Abraham Lincoln
What advice would you give to someone hoping to get into your field?
Start and manage a business. To be good at business development you need to have an understanding of all the “elements” of business.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing instead?
Starting a new business or helping another startup. Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur!
Follow the company on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and on Twitter @insect_shield.
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